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Salalah Airport to close as cyclone approaches Oman

Public Authority for Civil Aviation announces closure plan for at least 24 hours in light of Cyclone Mekunu

By Sam Bridge

Thu 24 May 2018 05:24 PM

Salalah Airport will be closed to air traffic from midnight on Thursday (local time) for at least 24 hours as Cyclone Mekunu approaches Oman.

The Public Authority for Civil Aviation (PACA) said it could extend the closure further, depending on weather conditions.

In a statement, PACA said: "Following up the development of the cyclone, which is centered in the Arabian Sea and approached the coasts of Dhofar as well as the Omani airspace, PACA has decided to close Salalah Airport at 12am tonight and for 24 hours which could be extended, depending on the development of the weather conditions."

PACA added that it is coordinating with other international airlines in the Omani air space.

Seventeen people were missing and hundreds of others evacuated from their homes after Cyclone Mekunu hit the Yemeni island of Socotra on Thursday, causing severe flooding and damage.

Neighbouring Oman is preparing for landfall on Friday, with national weather experts expecting Mekunu to intensify to a category two cyclone from category one, after it hit Socotra on Wednesday night.